Got a prospect - newbie needs quick advice

Hard to go wrong for that money, IF you look with your eyes open.

Look at every inch of the hull and trailer for obvious major structural problems.

Get under the boat with a rubber mallet and tap hard on the stringers up and down the hull. Listen to what you hear. They should all sound solid -- all over. Do you see any variations from the natural curve of the hull that might indicate a major structural problem.

The boat is almost 30 years old. Water will have gotten into the wood cores on the decks and transom. If you don't believe me -- look on the inside wherever any metal has been screwed in or thru-bolted from the outside. You will see rust stains. How much will give you an idea of how much water infiltration has occurred. Not the end of the world, use it to negotiate as long as the wood isn't rotted. This is (unfortunatedly and shamefully) normal.

The more you look -- the more problems you will find. After you buy it.

Do you only want to squeeze a couple more years out of the boat, or do you want it to last for 10, 20 or 30 years? The answer will determine how much work you will put into it.


Is it for a bay or lake or open ocean?

You say the transom doesn't flex and the deck is solid. That makes it sound like it is still in decent shape and worth your while.

As for the motor, if it runs for that money -- be happy.